You wake up feeling a bit off.
If this sounds familiar, there’s a good chance you’re dealing with shingles.
And no, it’s not just something that happens to “old people.”
Anyone who’s had chickenpox can get shingles, and it’s more common (and more painful) than you might think.
Shingles isn’t just a skin issue. It’s a viral reactivation that can affect your nerves, your sleep, your energy, and in some cases, your long-term health.
The good news?
With the right care and quick action, it’s treatable — and even preventable.
Let’s break down what shingles is, what it feels like, why it happens, and what you can do if you (or someone you love) gets it.
What Is Shingles?
Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus — the same virus that causes chickenpox.
Once you’ve had chickenpox (even as a kid), the virus doesn’t actually leave your body. Instead, it goes dormant, hiding out in your nerve tissue for years or even decades.
At some point — especially when your immune system is weakened or under stress — that dormant virus can reactivate, travel along your nerves, and cause a painful rash: shingles.
It typically appears as a band or patch of blisters on one side of the body, often around the torso, waist, or face.
But the pain often starts before the rash appears, which can make it easy to confuse with other conditions at first.
Who Gets Shingles?
Anyone who has had chickenpox is at risk for shingles — and that’s almost everyone born before 1995, when the chickenpox vaccine became widespread.
Most people only get shingles once in their lifetime, but in rare cases, it can recur.
Here’s who’s most at risk:
– Adults over 50 (risk increases with age)
– People with weakened immune systems (due to illness, chemotherapy, or certain medications)
– People under high levels of stress
– Those who’ve recently had trauma or surgery
– People who didn’t get the shingles vaccine
It’s estimated that 1 in 3 people will develop shingles at some point in their lives. So yes — it’s that common.
What Does Shingles Feel Like?
The symptoms of shingles usually happen in stages. You might feel a tingling, burning, or itchy sensation a few days before any rash appears. Then come the red patches, blisters, and pain.
Here’s what to expect:
– Early warning signs: burning, itching, tingling, or stabbing pain on one side of the body
– Skin rash: a red, blotchy patch that soon develops into clusters of fluid-filled blisters
– Blisters: eventually break open, crust over, and heal over 2–4 weeks
– Pain: can range from mild to severe and often feels like nerve pain (burning, stabbing, throbbing)
– Other symptoms: fever, fatigue, headache, and sensitivity to light
The rash typically follows the path of a nerve and appears on one side of the body — most often the chest, back, abdomen, or face. If it appears near your eye, that’s called ophthalmic shingles, and it needs immediate treatment to prevent vision loss.
Is Shingles Contagious?
Yes — but only under certain conditions. You can’t catch shingles from someone else, but a person with shingles can give someone else chickenpox if that person has never had it or hasn’t been vaccinated.
The virus is spread through direct contact with the fluid from the blisters. It’s not spread through coughing, sneezing, or shared air.
To prevent spreading it to others:
– Keep the rash covered
– Avoid touching or scratching it
– Wash your hands often
– Stay away from people who haven’t had chickenpox or the vaccine, pregnant women, newborns, and immunocompromised individuals
Once the blisters crust over, the risk of spreading the virus drops significantly.
What Is Postherpetic Neuralgia (PHN)?
One of the most dreaded complications of shingles is postherpetic neuralgia — a type of long-term nerve pain that continues even after the rash heals. PHN can last for weeks, months, or even years, and it affects about 10–20% of people who get shingles.
The older you are when you get shingles, the higher your risk of developing PHN. The pain can be severe and may feel like burning, stabbing, or constant aching in the area where the rash was.
Early treatment of shingles can reduce the risk of PHN — which is why seeing a doctor right away is so important.
How Is Shingles Diagnosed?
Doctors can usually diagnose shingles just by looking at the rash and asking about your symptoms. In rare cases, they might take a skin sample or run a blood test to confirm the diagnosis.
The key thing to know is: early treatment is essential. Starting antiviral medications within 72 hours of the rash appearing gives you the best chance of shortening the illness and avoiding complications.
Shingles Treatment: What Actually Helps
There’s no “cure” for shingles, but treatment can ease symptoms, speed up healing, and prevent long-term nerve damage.
Here's what your doctor may recommend:
– Antiviral medications: Acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famciclovir — most effective if started early
– Pain relievers: OTC pain meds like ibuprofen or acetaminophen
– Topical creams: Calamine lotion or lidocaine for itching and pain relief
– Cool compresses: To reduce discomfort and inflammation
– Rest: Your body needs time to fight the virus
For severe pain or PHN, doctors may also prescribe nerve pain medications like gabapentin, tricyclic antidepressants, or even corticosteroids.
Should You Get the Shingles Vaccine?
Absolutely — especially if you're over 50.
The Shingrix vaccine is recommended by the CDC for adults age 50 and older, even if you’ve had shingles before. It’s given in two doses and is over 90% effective at preventing shingles and postherpetic neuralgia.
If you’re under 50 but have a weakened immune system, your doctor may recommend the vaccine earlier.
How to Take Care of Yourself During a Shingles Outbreak
Getting shingles isn’t just painful — it can be emotionally exhausting too. Here’s how to make yourself more comfortable while your body heals:
– Rest often and don’t push through fatigue
– Eat nutrient-rich foods to support your immune system
– Stay hydrated — especially if you’re running a fever
– Avoid scratching the rash, which can lead to scarring or secondary infections
– Use loose-fitting clothing to avoid irritating the blisters
– Distract your mind with calm activities: reading, soft music, or guided breathing
– Ask for support if you need help around the house or with errands during the worst of it
Most people start to feel better in 2–4 weeks, and the rash clears up completely.
But always follow up with your doctor if you develop new symptoms, if the pain worsens, or if the rash spreads to your eyes.
Final Thoughts
Shingles is more than just a rash — it’s a wake-up call from your immune system.
It can be painful, frustrating, and downright exhausting. But if you catch it early, treat it properly, and give your body the care it needs, you can recover fully and prevent complications.
And if you haven’t gotten the shingles vaccine yet?
Now’s the time to have that conversation with your doctor. Because when it comes to shingles, prevention really is the best medicine.
So if you’re noticing unusual pain, a strange rash, or a tingle that won’t go away — don’t ignore it. Listen to your body. The sooner you act, the sooner you’ll start healing.
